By Brian Dunlap

We have seen over the last week, artists and musicians posting videos of them singing, performing or reading from their work or livestreaming their performances and readings. It’s a chance to keep people connected to each other during a time of isolation and sickness. It’s also a chance at self care, something to enjoy and take one’s mind off the worries and stress of the Coronavirus and all its effects.

The world renowned cellist Yo-Yo Ma, has been posting videos of himself performing short pieces and encouraging other musicians — of all levels — around the world to join him in offering “Songs of Comfort.” He discussed his project on the PBS NewsHour tonight. At the end of the story the NewsHour asked, “if you have art to share…upload your videos to Twitter, Instagram or Facebook using the hashtag #songsofcomfort. We will be watching, and we may use them in the future on air and online at PBS.org/NewsHour,” anchor Judy Woodruff said.

The night before last I recorded a video of myself reading two poems from my chapbook Concrete Paradise and posted it to my Facebook page. I have no idea if the video is any good because it’s extremely hard for me to think any video of myself reading is any good. I recorded it in an effort to provide some literature/a literary performance in hopes my art can connect people to others and their stories in their time of isolation and social distancing. I’ve posted that same video here as well.

I hope more writers livestram readings of or post videos of them reading and performing to help all of us stay connected to all our stories.

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